Sheet-delivery mechanism.



B. F. UPHAM; SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7,1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

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' Wiinmow B. F. UPHAM.

SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7,1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

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APPL IOATIONIILBD HAY 7,1910. 992,826.

4 Patented may 23; '1911.

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SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 7,1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

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BURT F. UPHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MIEHLE PRINTING PRESSAND MANUFACTURING GOMPAN Y, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

SHEET-DELIVERY MECHANISM.

lowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the ZICCOIII, panying drawings, which form part of thisspecification.

This invention is an improvement in sheet delivery mechanisms, andparticularly designed for use with sheet printingpresses.

" Theobject of the invent-ion is to bodily transfer the sheets from thepress tapes to the receiving table without the use of tapes,

' and withoutany possibility of smearing the sheets by the action ofthetransfer devices. The invention consists in novel means adapted tograsp a sheet by its side marginsas it is brought forward by the presstapes, and then bodily carry said sheet away from the tapes to and overthe receiving table and then release the sheet and allow itto dropgently onto the table. The said means embodies novel devicesor carriersadapted to seize or grip the opposite edges of a sheet along itsoutermost margins, and preferably substantially the entire length of thesheet,

or at least so much thereof as will enable the sheet to be bodilysuspended by andbetween such devices also means for reciprocating suchsheet seizing devices from beside the press tapes to the point ofdropping the sheet; the parts being so constructs ed that in theoperation of the apparatus the devices will engage the margins of asheet while it is lying on the press tapes; and will be closed thereuponwhile the sheet carriers are traveling outward at approximately the samerate of speed as the press tapes are moving lineally, so that the sheetwill not be jerked or tornin transference from the tapes .to thecarriers. The 'sheet will then be firmly held and carried to the pointof dropping, and there be released simultaneously by the seizingdevices; and then the carriers are returned beside the press tapes inposition to take another sheet therefrom. Means are also provided forcausing the sheet engaging devices, or sheet holding devices on thecarriers, to close and open at the proper times to take and to dischargethe sheets.

Theinvention may be embodied in vari- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 7, 1910. Serial No. 559,915.

Patented May 23, 1911.

ous mechanical forms; and I have illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings one construction; but I do not consider the invention in itsgeneral features limitedto such specific embodiment thereof and I referto the broader claims for general summaries of the essentials of theinvention for which protection is desired.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a printing press with sheet carrier inreceiving POSI- tion. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, parts beingbroken away, and the carriers in position to delivera sheet. an insideelevation of the delivery end of the press showing the carriers in thedelivering position. Fig.4: is a reverse plan view of Fig. 3. Fi 5 isaninside elevation of the receiving en of machine showing the grippers inposition to take a sheet from the tapes. Figs. 6 and 7 are detailsectional views taken on lines 66 of Fig. 3 and 7-7 of Fig. 5. Figs. 8and 9 are detail views.

In the drawings, A designates the cylinder of any suitable sheetprinting press;

and B, B, the usual press tapes, which are adapted to receive theprinted sheets from the impression mechanism and forward themtoward thereceiving table. Each printed sheet-is moved outward edgewise by thetapes B, B, and I propose to seize the margins of the sheet, as it iscarried on tapes B,

gins and transport it from the tapes B, B, to and over the table-C, anddrop it thereon. In the construction shown in the drawings two oppositeparallel guide-bar's 10 are arranged between the side frames of thepress, and may be supported on cross rods or shafts 10, 9, mounted inthe side frames. The guide-bars 10 are shown as lying in a horizontalplane intermediate the shafts b, b, of the upper and lower sets of tapesB, B, andthus extending beyond the same to the endof table 0.

Slidably mounted upon each guide bar 10 is a carrier 3, whichis ada tedto bereciprocated from a position besi e the tapes B, B, (see Figs. 1-5)to a position beside and above the table C (see Figs. 2-3-4). Thecarriers 3 may be reciprocated properly and simultaneously by anysuitable means, and may bemounted upon the bars 10in any suitablemanner. As shown each has a slidingfit upon its guide-bar, and isprovided Fig. 3 is I y suitable reciprocating devices, wh1ch wlll upholdthe sheet by its side marbeside said tapes and on its under side with arack 3 which is adapted to engage with a pinion 5 on a cross shaft 5,journaled in the side-frames of the machine adjacent the outermosttaperoll shaft; and said shaft 5 is adapted to be rotated alternately inopposite directions by means of a small pinion 5 on its outer endmeshing with a rack bar 4, supported in a guide 4 pivoted on the sideframe adjacent the pinion 5; and said rack bar is connected by a rod fito a lever 4* having a roller 4? engaging a .cam 4 mounted on a shaft 4suitably geared to any driven shaft (not shown) in the press, so thatthe carriers 3 will be reciprocated once for each sheet printed in thepress. The ordinary press prints one sheet for each rotation of theimpression cylinder A. The cam l is preferably so shaped that after thecarriers reach their innermost positions, indicated in Fig. 5, they arestarted outward gradually but quickly attain the speed of the tapes B,B, whereupon the sheet-tapes or grippers, hereinafter described, seizethe sheet by its side margins, and, as the carriers move on, carry suchsheet to and over the table C. As the carriers near the end of theiroutward stroke they are slowed down and just as or before they arestopped, the grippers release the sheet. Then the carriers move backbeside the tapes to take another sheet." The cam, rack, and pinions 5,5, can be made of such relative proportions that a' sufiicient movementcan be given the carriers by a comparatively short movement of the rackbar 4.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 7 that the sheet takers on thecarriers engage the sheet by its outermost side margins, and will holdthe sheet suspended between the carriers while transferring it to thetable C. Instead of'as heretofore'taking a sheet by its forward andleading edge and pulling it outward, the reciprocating grippers in myinvention take the sheet only by its side edges and when it is releasedit is free to drop simultaneously throughout its length, and one part orend of the sheet is not dropped in adv nee of another part thereof.

A practical cm of sheet-taking or gripping devices is illustrated in thedrawings, and comprises a pair of upper and lower gripper bars 1", 2",attached to each carrier 3. The bar l -preferably hasa slight verticalmovement, as hereinafter explained, and for this purpose may be hung atits ends upon links 1 pivoted at 1 on lugs attached to carrier 3; thelinks 1 are similarly inclined, and as the carriers reach theirinnermost position a pin or roller 1 on an;

arm 1 connected with the innermost link 1 engages a cam 1 attached-totheguide bar 10 (or other suitable-support on the machine),-and causesthe'bar 1 to slightly rise (see Figs. 1-5-7). The cams 1 may be soshaped and arranged as to hold the bars l lifted slightly for anydesired portion of the stroke of the carrier; or until they are i olrging outward at the speed of the tapes The bar 2 underlies bar 1 andnormally remains parallel therewith, but is adapted to be reciprocatedlaterally; and for this purpose it may be slidably mounted on guides2*,on carrier 3, and be provided with pins 2* on its under side whichengage the slotted arms of bell-crank levers 2 pivoted at 2 to the underside of the carrier 3; the short arms of said levers are connected by abar 2 so that, said levers must move simultaneously and equally, andwhen said levers are rocked they will move bar 2 laterally; and may becaused to move said bar 2 from a position parallel with and below thebar (see Fi g. 7) l ,which is the sheet receiving and gripping position,outwardly from beneath bars 1 (see Fig. 6) which is the sheet droppingposition. i

'1 he bars 2 may be moved to sheet dropping position, as or when thecarriers reach the end of their outward stroke, by means" of rollers orstuds 2 connected to the outer most levers 2 and adapted to engage cams2 attached to the guide bars 10; or an adjacent-support on the frame, asindicated in Fig. 4. And when the carriers start inward again the -cams2 will cause bars 2* vto return to position underneath bars 1. 'Ifdesired bars l might be made to rise slightly to release the edges ofthe sheet, as or when the carriers reach the limit of their outwardstroke and before the bars 2 are retracted, by means of cam 1 attachedfrom each other. As the carriers operate beside the tapes,and not merelyat the ends thereof,-the tape pulleys on the shafts b, b canbe shiftedlaterally to or from each other to permit the carriers to be properlyadjusted so that the sheet seizmg devices can engage the margins of anysheets of any size. The outermost tapes B, B, being so adjusted as toallow theslde margins of such sheets to project therefrom sufficientlyto enter between the bars 1, 2, on the carriers, while said bars areseparated; said bars serving for the time be ing-when the carriers arein their innermost positionsas guides and supports for thus the bars 10can be adjusted toward or the outermost margins of the" sheet. The

cams 1 and 1 for operating bar 1 ;-and the sheet brought forward thereonwill project- 'slightly beyond ,the outermost tapes. The

guide bars are adjusted to posit-ions close beside the outermost tapesso that when the 1 carriers 3 are moved inward beside the tapes theoutermost side margins of the sheets lying on tapes B will enter betweenthe then separated bars 1?, 2". After a sheet is therebetween only by,its side margins,to and over 'table 0, and when the carriers near orreach the end of their outermost stroke, and come to or almost to astop, the cams 1 may cause bars 1 to slightly rise and simultaneouslythe pins 2* engaging cams 2* cause the bars 2 to. Withdraw frombeneaththe outermost margins ofthe sheet, and thus the sheet is freedsimultaneously at 40 both margins, all along its length, and can dropfreely. onto the table C;while' the carriers are immediately -returnedtoward the tapes into position to receive another sheet.

. Obviously the invention is not restricted to the'particularconstruction'of parts heree in shown and described, nor to theparticular arrangement of cams and devices for operating any of theparts of the invention, as, being once disclosed it could be readilyembodied in various fornis of mechanism point of deposlt; with devlcesfor causing without departing from the essential features thereof, thebroad characteristic' fea- 'ture ofthe invention being the employment ofreciprocating, carriers or grippers adapted to seize asheet by itsoutermost side margins and carry the sheet suspended therebetween to thepoint of delivery, and

there let it drop.

'What I'claim is:

' ing presses, opposite-reciprocating carriers each provided with upperand lower gripping bars extending longitudinally of a sheet and adaptedto engage the side marabout fully entered between bars 1 2 on' is takenby the carriers,while 'suspended' 1. In sheet delivery mechanism forprint gins thereof'as it is brought forward on the press tapes, andbodily transport the sheet to the dropping point; with means for causingthe bars to seize and to release the sheet at the proper points.

: 2. In sheet handling mechanism, the combination of a set of sheetforwarding tapes,

a pair of reciprocating carriers, one at each side of the set'of tapes,means for reciproeating said carriers, and a pair of sheet gripping barson each carrier extending longitudinally of the tapes and adapted toengage the side margins of a sheet as it is brought forward on the tapesandbodily transport the'sheet to the droppingpoint; with means forcausing the bars to seize and to release the sheet at the proper points.

3: In sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination ofsheet forwarding means; a pair of reciprocating carriers locatedonopposite sides of said means, and sheet gripping devices on eachcarrier comprising a lower bar and an upper bar extending longitudinallyof. the sheet and adapted to nip the adjacent side margins of a sheetbrought forward by said means, take the sheet therefrom and carry it tothe point of deposit; and means for causing the said bars to nip thesheet and to release the same at the proper times.

4:. In sheet'delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination ofsheet forwarding means; a reciprocating carrier at each side of saidmeans; and a pair of sheet gripping bars on each carrier extendinglongage the adjacent side 'margins of a sheet and transfer it from theforwarding means.

to the point of deposit; with means for causing the bars to nip thesheet, means for separating the bars to release the sheet, and means forwithdrawing the lower bars from beneath the sheet at the point ofdeposit.

. 5. In sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combinationof sheet forwarding tapes; carriers at opposite sides of the tapes,means for moving said carriers, and upper and lower movable bars on eachcarrier adapted to engage the adjacent side margin of a sheet supportedon said tapes while it is moving, and to transport it to the the bars'to separate to receive the sheet, to then close upon the sheet, and toagain separate to release the sheet at the proper times and points; andmeans for withdrawing the lower bars from beneath the sheet at the pointof deposit.

6. In combination, sheet forwarding means; with opposite pairs ofgripping devices adapted to grip the opposite side margins of a sheet asit is brought forward by said means, and suspend the sheet bodilytherebetween and carry it to the point of deposit during the outwardstroke of the grippers; means for causing the grippers to release thesheet at such point, means for laterally withdrawing the lowermostgrippers from beneath the edges of the sheet to permit the latter todrop freely, and means for reciprocating the grippers to and from thedropping point.

7. In combination, sheet forwarding tapes, and a sheet receiver, pairsof sheet gripping devices at opposite sides of the tapes, means forreciprocating the grippers between the sheet forwarding means and thereceiver, and means to cause said grippers to engage the side margins ofa sheet supported on said tapes, and transport said sheetfrom the tapesto and over the sheet receiver, means for causing the grippers torelease and drop the sheet at such point; and means for withdrawing thelowermost grippers in each pair from beneath the sheet at the droppingpoint.

8. In sheet delivery mechanism for print said carriers, and transportthe sheet from the tapes to and over the table; with means for-causingthe gripping devices to close upon and release the sheet at the propertimes; and means for withdrawing the lowermost grippers in each pairfrom beneath the sheet when above the table.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

BURT F. UPHAM. Witnesses:

R. M.-MARKEL, GEORGE MASON.

